Sponge-cup and sealer



(No Model.)

.-PARKER.

Patented Apr; 9, 1889..

J. v SPONGE 0UP AND SEALER. No. 400,941.

Iii numl'l'llll N. PETERS PhotmLiihngraphgr. Washinglom n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. PARKER, OF VVOODSTON, KANSAS.

SPONGE-CUP AND SEALER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,941, dated April 9, 1889.

Application filed July 25, 1888. Serial No. 280,986- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES 0. PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVoodston, in the county of Books and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvementin a Sponge-Cup and Sealer, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a spongecup and sealer, having for its object to provide a simple,cheap, durable, and effective device whereby the gum or mucilage on envelopes, stamps, &c., may be moistened rapidly and thoroughly.

The invention consists in a certain novel construction and combination of devices, fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the sponge-cup embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken centrally through the reservoir.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the which engage and slide on laterally-projecting flanges a a on the reservoir, and to the lower or front edge of the sliding cover is hinged the swinging cover E, which fits over the receptacle 0.

The front edge of the swinging cover is provided with a vertically-slotted catch, F, which fits over a stud, f, on the front side of the receptacle, whereby the front side of the cover is capable of a slight vertical movement, and G represents a spring-flange, which is formed on the front edge of the sliding cover and projects under the rear edge of the swinging cover, whereby it normally holds the latter raised, so that the stud f is in the lower end of the slot in the catch F. It will be seen that the front edge of the cover E may be dedesired purpose.

pressed, so as to bring the stud f in the upper end of the slot in the catch F; but when the pressure is removed the cover will resume its normal position.

A sponge or other absorbent material, H, is placed in the reservoir, and is provided with an extension which projects into the receptacle C and rests on a draining-plate,l, which is arranged in the receptacle. This plate is raised slightly from the bottom of the receptacle, and is removed at its front edge from the front side of the receptacle, whereby the water may pass through the slot K thus formed and drop on the bottom of the receptacle. This draining-plate is inclined toward its front edge to throw the Water in this direction, and it is, further, longitudinally fluted or corrugated, in order to impede the flow of the water and prevent a complete draining of the plate.

The cover D is provided at its center with an aperture, L, in which fits a cork or stopper, M, and through thisaperturewater is introduced into the reservoir to saturate the sponge or other absorbent, and the cover E is provided with a V-shaped slot, N, which is designed to correspond in shape with the edge of the flap of an envelope.

The operation of the device will be readily appreciated. The water which is introduced into the reservoir will be absorbed by the sponge or absorbent, and when it is desired to moisten the gum or mucilage on an envelope or stamp the latter is placed over the opening N in the cover E and the cover is de-' pressed, thereby bringing water to the surface of the absorbent and accomplishing the The opening N is fitted with a screen, 0, which prevents the sponge or absorbent from pressing through the opening, and also prevents the article to be moistened from becoming too wet. Any surplus water which may be pressedfrom the sponge is carried by the draining-plate and the bottom of the receptacle to the reservoir. The advantages of the invention will be evident. A sponge may be kept moist in this way for a long time, and to moisten it again it is simply necessary to introduce water through the aperture in the sliding cover.

By means of the spring-actuated swinging cover the water may be brought to the surface of the sponge, although it has become dry. The parts are simple and are simply and substantially connected.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with a receptacle containingamoistened absorbent material, of the movable perforated spring-actuated cover, covering an opening in the receptacle and arranged adjacent to the said absorbent material, and adapted, when depressed, to compress the absorbent material and force the moisture therein through the perforations, the envelope or other article to be moistened being arranged over the perforations on the outer side of the cover, substantially as specified.

2. In asponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with a suitable reservoir, of the adjoining receptacle provided with a movable cover having an opening, N, therein, covered by a screen, 0, and the absorbent material H in the reservoir extending into the receptacle under the said opening, substantially as specified. V

3. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combina tion, with the reservoir, of the adjoining receptacle having a movable cover provided with an opening, N, the draining-plate located in the receptacle slightly above the bottom of the same, and the absorbent material in the reservoir, having an extension which rests on the said draining-plate, substantially as specified.

at. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with the reservoir, of the receptacle having its bottom inclined toward the reservoir, the inclined draining-plate J, the movable cover on the receptacle, and the absorbent material in the reservoir extending over the draining-plate, substantially as specified.

5. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with the reservoir, of the receptacle haw ing its bottom inclined toward the reservoir, the draining-plate located above the bottom of the receptacle and inclined toward the front of the same, the said plate being corrugated or fluted, for the purpose specified, and removed from the front of the receptacle to form a slot, K, the cover 011 the receptacle, and the absorbent material, arranged as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with the reservoir and the adjoining receptacle having a sponge or absorbent arranged therein, of'the sliding cover fitting on the open front side on the reservoir and the swinging cover hinged to the front edge of the sliding cover and fitting over the receptacle, substantially as specified.

7. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with the reservoir and the adjoining receptacle, of the sliding cover D, fitting over the opening in the reservoir and provided with an aperture having a stopper, and the swinging cover hinged to the front edge of the sliding cover and provided with an opening, N, substantially specified.

8. In a sponge-cup and sealer, the combination, with the reservoir and the adjoining receptacle and the absorbent material arranged therein, of the sliding cover on the reservoir, the swinging cover hinged to the front edge of the sliding cover and provided with a slotted catch, F, fitting over a stud on the receptacle, and the spring-flange on the front edge of the sliding cover extending under the swing ing cover and adapted to hold the same normally raised, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAB [ES O. PARKER.

Witnesses:

P. C. DUNLAP, 'W. I l. BRYNING. 

